Phylum Porifera is the phylum of sponges. 98% of sponge species live in marine environments, with about 8000 total species discovered and an estimated 15,000 total species. They are the most simple animal phylum, but stand out because of their bright color. The word "porifera" means "pore-bearing", which means that the sponges have pores, which can be used to absorb water.
There are invertebrates.
Porifera cannot be classified by a coelom. In order to be classified in this manner, the organism must have three germ layers. However, three germ layers developed in organisms after Porifera came to be.
Body symmetry is asymmertrical.
4 Main Features of Porifera:
They feed by filtration when water brings food through pores of the sponge (osmosis).
They have a unique cell type, called the collar cell.
There are no internal organs because the tissues are loosely organized.
They have microscophic crystals or fibers that make up the internal skeleton.
Branching Tube Sponge
A sulfur sponge
A way to remember the defining characteristic of Porifera:
PORifera = Sponges have PORES to absorb water.
Multiple Choice Question:
How is Porifera classified by coelom?
(a) Acelomate
(b) Pseudoceolomate
(c) Ceolomate
(d) none of the above
Porifera
Phylum Porifera is the phylum of sponges. 98% of sponge species live in marine environments, with about 8000 total species discovered and an estimated 15,000 total species. They are the most simple animal phylum, but stand out because of their bright color. The word "porifera" means "pore-bearing", which means that the sponges have pores, which can be used to absorb water.
- There are invertebrates.
- Porifera cannot be classified by a coelom. In order to be classified in this manner, the organism must have three germ layers. However, three germ layers developed in organisms after Porifera came to be.
- Body symmetry is asymmertrical.
4 Main Features of Porifera:A way to remember the defining characteristic of Porifera:
PORifera = Sponges have PORES to absorb water.
Multiple Choice Question:
How is Porifera classified by coelom?
(a) Acelomate
(b) Pseudoceolomate
(c) Ceolomate
(d) none of the above